Steam-generator



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

N. H.v TENNEY.

STEAM GENERATOR.

No. 424,629. Patented Apr. 1, 1890.

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N, PETERS. Enom-Luhgnphu. wunlngm. n. c.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

N. H. TENNEY.

STEAM GENBRATUR.

Patented Apr. 1, 1890.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIcE.

NELSON H. TENNEY, OF AOTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

STEAM-c EN ERATR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 424,629, dated April 1, 1890.

Application filed September 9, 1889. Serial No. 323,428. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, NELSON H. TENNEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Acton, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Steam-Generators, of which the following, together with the accompanying drawings, is a specification sufficiently full, clear, and exact to enable persons skilled in the art to which this invention appertains to make and use the same.

The object of my present invention is to provide a steam generator more especially for the heating of buildings and similar purposes, which can be operated successfully and the requisite steam be generated by a slowburning fire; also, to provide an apparatus in which the furnace is divided by tubes, as

hereinafter explained, so that the iire can be separated and the apparatus operated with a small lire when desired or with a large fire when necessary.

Another object is to afford details of construction that render the apparatus convenient and economical for manufacture and durable and practical for use.

w I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated and described, the subject-matter claimed being hereinafter definitely specified.

In the drawings, Figure l is a vertical sectional view at line u u, Fig. 3, showing the structure of my improved steam-generator or heating apparatus. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional View at line o r. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section at line au, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section at line oc. Fig. 5 is a horizontal section at line y y. Fig. 6 is a sectional View ranged in a row across the center of the iirev showing the details of construction of the 'inden able perforated cover is arranged over the central opening at the top of the lire-chamber. The boiler rests upon a suitable base, and is provided with an outer casing above the drums for collecting the smoke and with a flue for conveying away the products of combustion, the parts being preferably arranged substantially as illustrated.

In referring to parts, A denotes the base.

B denotes the water-leg section or main body of the boiler, composed of the outer shell B and inner shell B2, preferably of cylindrical shape and together forming a wall that incloses the fire-space or furnace-chamber F, and embraces an intervening waterspace of about iive-eighths-inch, more or less, dimension. The upper ends of the shells B and B2 ext-end inward in the manner illustrated at B3, partially covering the fire-chamber, but leaving a central opening e above the fire-space. Upright tubes b are arranged in a comparatively close row around the interior of the lire-chamber adjacent to the surface of the inner shell B2, the upper ends of said tubes being screwed into openings formed in the horizontal inwardly-extended portion B3 of the shell B2. The lower ends of these tubes b are best provided with caps b and joined to the shell B2 by means of screw-threaded nipples 7L, passed through the shell and side of the cap, and forming an attachment through which communication is established from the water-leg to the interior of the tube, as indicated.

The boiler-section B has a transom or hollow bar B4 across its upper portion, and a series of vertically-depending tubes D are arspace, forming a barrier or partition for dividing the same into two chambers F and F'. The top ends of said tubes are secured in the hollow bar and their lower ends closed by caps CZ. The two parts B and of the body or water-leg section are cast separately, the

part B being made with a circumferential rim 4 at its base, which is fitted to the rim of the part B2 by a vert-ical joint ati and secured by radial bolts or rivets I, while the upper portion of the part` B2 is provided with a rim 6 and fitted to the part B with a horizontal joint, as at j, and the parts secured together by vertical bolts J.

In putting the parts together the upper end of the tube b is first screwed into the part B2, the cap b being screwed onto the lower end. The cap b is then held against or adjacent to the inner surface of the shell B2, and a hole is drilled from the exterior through both the shell and the cap. This hole is then tapped or threaded, and the screw-threaded nipple h is screwed firmly into the opening. (See Figs. (i and '7.)' The outer end of the nipple is cut off iiush, or substantially so, with the outer surface of the shell B2. This is done before the outer shell B is attached. After the tubes l) have all been confined the outer shell B is placed over the inner shell B2, the bolts Iand J inserted, and their nuts screwed down, drawing the joints together and making all tight and secure. The nipple his preferably of brass and serves to hold the lower end of the tube permanently in connection with the shell, and also forms apassway for the circulation of water from the lower part of the water-leg section up through the tube.

At either side above the section B are provided horizontal drums M, which communicate with the water-space through upwardlyprojecting necks that have suitable couplinganges for connecting the castings. The drums are best connected with each other by suitable pipes m. The steam-supply pipe S extends therefrom for conducting steam to the place of use or about the building.

A perforated hinged cover K is arranged over the opening e. Said cover K may be a plain perforated plate, as in Fig. 1, or it may be constructed with an internal water-space K and tubes, as indicated in Figs. 2 and 3. In the latter instance it is best connected with the drums M by pipe-joints and provided with stufIing-boXes fn at the points of hinging, so that the water can freely iiow from the drums into the interior space of the movable cover. The normal water-level is preferably about one-half Way of the diametric height of the drums M, as indicated at L on Fig. 2.

Beneath the furnace is arranged the grate G, which may be formed as shown, or of any other-suitable construction. The grate G is preferably made and supported in such a manner that it can be revo1ved,its periphery being provided with a series of holes for the insertion of the shaker-bar. A ring of firebrick or refractory material a is preferably disposed beneath the generator and surrounding the grate, as indicated.

P indicates the returnpipe or feed pipe through which water enters the boiler. Said pipe can be connected directly with the water-leg section or it can be extended, as indicated, into the hollow bar B4 and provided with branches 5, that depend within the tubes D, for delivering the feed-Water at the lower end of said tubes. In some instances or with small-sized apparatus the generator can be made without the hollow transom and center tubes.

The cover K is best connected by a chain or rod K2 with the lever of an automatic damper-regulator R, whereby the cover can be raised and permitted to drop by change of steam-pressure for regulating the degree of draft. The air-valve a2 may also be connected with the damper regulator in the usual manner for controlling admittance l'of air to the fire.

T indicates a non-radiating lagging or heat-retaining covering of asbestus, felt, or

other suitable material, for protecting the water-leg section B from loss of heat, and T indicates a sheet iron hood or casing for concentrating the products of combustion above the boiler, to be conducted away through the flue T2. A door t is arranged in the casing, through which to supply fuel, and doors lare arranged in the ash-pit for giving access to the grate and for removing ashes.

When supplying fuel to the fire, the plate K is raised, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. l, and the fuel is introduced through the door t and central opening e into the top of the fire-chamber at either side of the barrier.

An annular plate 5c, having a groove or recess in its under side, is best arranged over the ends of the bolts J to form a proper seat for the cover K; or, if preferred, the cover can be seated on the rim inside the row of bolts or rivets.

Among the advantages of the construction herein set forth it may be noted that the generator contains but a comparatively small quantity of water, so that water can be vconverted into steam in a rapid manner. The fire-chamber being within the section B, the heat is brought into direct contact with the tubes and inner surface of the water-leg section.

Another advantage is that the tubes b serve to support the fuel at a slight distance away from the shell, thus tending to afford sufficient draft about the circumference of the fire for keeping the fire alive and in good condition adjacent to the heating-surfaces of the boiler and generating the heat in contact with the water-containing parts of the boiler. This permits of using dust coal, throws the heat on the surface of the tubes and shell, and also by reason of the arrangement of the heating-surfaces accomplishes the heating with a very slow-running fire, which is an advantage in the burning of coal for heating purposes.

Another important advantageis that the lire-surface, being divided by the tubular partition'D, affords facility for working successfully with a small fire, as one part of the firespace F or F can be allowed to fill up with ashes and cinders in the sgpring and fall, when but little heat is needed, and the re run only on one side of the furnace, or when greater fire is needed both parts can be worked. j

I claim as my invention to be secured by Letters Patent- 1. The combination, with the annular wa-f `ter-leg section having the inwardly-extended IOO IIO

top rim and the series of upright tubes disposed adjaccnt to the inner surface thereof, with their top ends secured in the inwardlyextending rim, of the caps iitted on the lower ends of said tubes and screw-threaded nipples inserted through the shell and caps, whereby said caps are connected with the water-leg shell, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with the boiler-section having the inner and outer shells, with an intervening watenspace surrounding the rechamber, of a hollow transom or cross-bar connecting the water-space from opposite sides of the chamber, and a series of tubes xed in and internally communicating with the hollow of said transom and disposed in a comparatively close-set row or barrier across the iire-chamber, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination of the water-leg section surrounding the fire-chamber and provided with an inwardly-extended top and a diametrically-disposed hollow transom, of a serics of upright tubes adjacent to the inner surface of said water-leg section, and a series of tubes having closed lower ends supported by and depending from said hollow transom to form a barrier across the fire-chamber, substantially as set forth.

4. The adjustable perforated cover above the fire-chamber, in combination with the water-leg section having the inwardly-extended top with central opening and provided with upright tubes surrounding the lire-chamber, and an automatic regulator connected with said cover for adj u sting it, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

5. The adjustable cover constructed with internal water-space and draft-tubes and provided with hollow hinges or connections, in combination withthe water-leg section sur rounding the fire-chamber and provided with a top rim on which said cover is seated, substantially as set forth.

(i. The combination, substantially as described, ofthe annular water-leg section hav' ing the inwardly-extended top, the upright tubes disposed about the interior thereof adjacent to the shell, the hinged cover closing over the opening in said top, the fire-grate, the air-valve, and an automatic regulator and connections for raising` and lowering said cover under control of said regulator, all arranged and operating as and for the purpose set forth.

7. A steam-generator having the cylindrical water-leg section composed of the outer and inner shells, with an inwardly-extended top portion joined at their upper and lower rims by rivets or bolts and embracing a narrow intervening water-space surrounding the fire-chamber and provided with a row of tubes disposed about the interior adjacent to the shell, and the steam-drums supported above said water-leg section at either side of its central opening and connected therewith through hollow necks, substantially as shown and described.

8. The combination, with the water-leg section having the hollow bar extending across the fire-chamber, with tubes depending therefrom, of the feed-water pipe extending to the interior of said hollow bar and provided with branches that lead downward within said tubes, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

9. A steam-generator comprising the an# nular water-leg section having the inwardlyextended` top and hollow diametric bar embracing the fire-chamber, the series of tubes disposed about the fire-chamber adjacent to the inner surface of the water-leg and connected with the water-space at their upper and lower ends, as shown, the series of tubes dependent from said diainetric bar and formingabarrier across the re-chamber,the steamdrums attached to the top of the water-leg section, the adjustable cover, the resupporting grate, and the inclosing-casing, all arranged substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

Witness my'hand this 3d day of September, A. D. 1889. NELSON I-I. TENNEY.

Vitnesses:

S. A. GUILFORD, A. F. DURKEE. 

